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Enjoy the train rides!

Chapter IX The Train Rides

District 1 Train

There was much celebration and revelry as Elegance and Cas stepped onto the trains that would take them onto the Capitol. Once they had left the Districts, the partners were allowed a moment to breath following the excitement of the day. Before settling in, a pair of Avoxes with silver trays brought champagne flutes. The two Tributes took them, clicking the glasses together in toast, and enjoyed.

"Mmmh." Cas purred. "Delicious. Have you had champagne before?"

Elegance rolled her eyes at the attempted put down. "Of course. My parents always had flutes ready for our winter gatherings. The whole neighborhood would come."

"My late father would have them ready every day, if needed." Cas told her proudly. "He always said you should only drink champagne to celebrate, and if you could drink it everyday, then you must have something to celebrate every day."

Neither were offended by the rapport between the two. This was classic banter in District 1, the light put downs, the not so subtle show offs. Both Elegance and Cas felt in tune with the other and fully committed to the partnership.

Until of course, it had to come to it's messy end.

Still, there wasn't a need for that now. Like any good socialite in 1, why acknowledge something distasteful so soon?

District 2 Train

After their frosty exchange at the Pre-Reaping ceremony, neither Pietyr or Amaya were looking forward to spending time together. Still, their mentors pushed them together, so it ended up being Amaya who offered an olive branch first. It fit with her plan anyways of being prominent and important in the Pack, a nice mix of intimidating and good natured.

"Excited to show off your sabre skills to the Capitol?" Amaya asked. She sipped her champagne delicately, forcing herself to enjoy the taste. Rich people loved champagne and it wouldn't do for her to seem intimidated by a sparkly drink.

Pietyr eyed her up, his own champagne untouched next to him. He hated alcohol and how it made people fools. "'Show off?' You make this sound so childish." He told her bluntly, blue eyes full of hostility

Amaya didn't scoff and she kept her thoughts to herself. She hadn't known Pietyr that well from the Academy. She knew his sister, Maura, since everyone knew her. Pietyr had never socialized when any of the girls at the Academy and it was becoming clear why. It seemed her partner had a problem with women. For whatever reason, Amaya found that a number of boys at the Academy had some misogynistic views. Still, it wasn't like Pietyr spoke with any of the boys at the Academy either.

'He probably just hates everyone.' Amaya realized. Not exactly a great thing to have in a partner or for the Career Pack.

Not wanting to talk with him anymore, Amaya rose and exited the train cart, making her way to the snack cart near the back of the train and far from him. Pietyr watched her go, grunting at the sight. Probably going to stuff her face since she didn't get anything in the Dust.

He'd never tell her, or let her see it, but Pietyr was nervous around her. Amaya had already taken out a Tribute before the Games had even begun. If Pietyr didn't already know that Amaya was a beast when she had a machete in hand – her preferred weapon of choice – he would have guessed she fought through dishonorable means like poison or a bow and arrow.

No, he wouldn't buy into that bullshit "I'm friends with everyone" nonsense that Maura also pedaled in. Amaya was dangerous.

And he wasn't going to be her next victim.

District 3 Train

Statistically speaking – or the Odds as the Capitol preferred – Web knew he'd fair a lot better with a District partner on his side.

Distressingly, they weren't bonding.

Web wasn't sure what it was. He tried talking to her. He made small talk. He asked where she was from. He even asked what her hobbies were! All great topics of small talk. She had answered all of the questions politely but Web could tell there wasn't that spark there. It was maddening!

Hypatia, meanwhile, was feeling the same. She wanted a partner but could tell Web wasn't it. The way he spoke was so… weird. She knew people in 3 spoke in such prim tones that of course, but her only experience with them had been on the career days at school or when they stopped by the orphanage to give a patronizing lecture about hard work and where it could lead you in District 3.

Everyone who spoke like Web, mini-genius, were the best products from District 3 and they knew it. And if you weren't on their level, they just looked down at you. Web didn't seem like that, but biases died hard, and she kept feeling that everything she was saying wasn't impressing him.

It was unfortunate for both Tributes that they were the most social inept people the others knew and had a friend list that wouldn't even count past one hand.

"You never asked what my hobbies were." Web tried.

Hypatia perked up, hoping he wasn't offended. "Oh. Ok. What are your hobbies?" She asked politely.

Web panicked. She sounded so disengaged! "I make robots!" He blurted out, trying to ignite her interest.

"Robots?

"Yes. Or automaton if you like."

"Oh. Whichever name you prefer." Hypatia said, unsure what the other term was. "But that sounds… cool."

"Cool" was a deflating, facile word for his work but Web nodded and smiled. A bit too forcefully. It made Hypatia smile back, also too forced, and the two fell into another silence with awkward grins on their faces.

Neither liked their partnership odds.

District 4 Train

"I'm not supposed to be here."

Nicola looked up from his chocolate bar, annoyed to have something so enjoyable interrupted by his partner, who was turning out to be lil Miss Sunshine. "Err… a little late for that now." He told her.

Maddie's head spun around, shooting him a look. "That's it? I tell you my family bribed the Mayor to get me into the Hunger Games and that's all you have to say about it?"

Nicole shrugged. Of course the system for Career Tributes was corrupt. Maddie was a rich girl though and expected everything to work right. Nicola wasn't inclined – nor did he have the patience – to explain reality to her. Still, it would only hurt District 4 in the long run if she kept being such a downer. She needed a confidence boost.

"You're here now. And you're trained. That's better than eighty percent of the competition. And anything can happen in the Games. Don't be so down about it."

Maddie was too lost at sea to see that the shore was right in front of her. "I shouldn't be here." She repeated miserably, sinking into the chair and staring out the window at the passing landscape.

Nicola rolled his eyes. Course he'd be stuck doing the work representing 4. Nicola was tempted to ditch her, but after last year's issue with District 4's Tributes, both of them had been instructed to stay together and make a good show of unity for the District.

Maybe Maddie would die early and put this whole embarrassment to rest.

District 5 Train

A knock on the bedroom door pulled Teagan from her daze. Considerate, she opened the door and was surprised to see Victor Olivia Echeberría standing there. She was a vision of beauty, tall and slim with beautiful brown skin and shoulder length black hair that gleamed in the light. Teagan felt pathetic standing next to a Victor. Just looking at her, Teagan felt entirely inadequate for the title herself.

"I wanted to check in." Olivia told her, speaking softly and with care. "How are you holding up?"

Teagan shrugged. It was the truth too. The initial and subsequent shock had come and gone. She felt numb at the moment. Sleepy even, which felt odd.

"Well, if you want, Seph and I are in the lounge cart with some appetizers. Do you want to join us?"

Teagan shook her head. "N-n-no thank you." She said.

Victor Echeberría didn't seem to accept that. "I know you're scared. I was literally where you were last year. But trust me, you don't want to stay in your room all day. Come join us. We don't even need to talk."

"No." Teagan forced out. It was like talking with mom and dad and her sisters, making her sit around while they all chatted and she felt alone. Teagan knew she was being unfair but she just wanted to be alone. Unfortunately, she seemed to upset Victor Echeberría who shook her head in resignation.

"Fine. But please join us if you change your mind. It would be good for you." She said before she turned and left. Teagan shut the door behind her and fell into her cabin's bed. She closed her eyes, letting sleep take her weary body.

Seph had a plate full of food and no appetite. All the food in the world had been laid out for him and his partner, Teagan, but the Avoxes. Seph looked at the poor people, standing in the corners of the train with their heads bowed and mouths covered. He felt awful for thinking it, but the Avoxes creeped Seph out. They didn't even seem human the way they moved and were able to do things with their eyes always facing down.

The doors to the cabin hissed open and Victor Echeberría walked in, looking annoyed. Teagan was not with her. "Did she not want to come?" Seph asked.

"No. She… she just needed a minute." Victor Echberría said. An Avox approached her with a glass of dark liquid that Seph recognized as alcohol. For a moment, the Victor eyed it and even moved towards it, but stopped short and politely waved the Avox off.

"So… what do we do?"

"Well, we eat and enjoy and I get to learn about you." Olivia said, infusing enthusiasm into her tone. "Tell me about yourself."

Seph felt very put on the spot but told Olivia about his whole life. His family, his work, school, anything of note he could think of. As he finished, Seph admitted his deepest fear. "But I can't do anything that would be useful in the Hunger Games." He told her.

"Now that's not true. You never know what the Gamemakers will throw at you in the arena. We'll find something you're good at and get the Capitol to fall in love with you. How do you feel about allies?"

"Um… good, I guess. If they're trust worthy."

The Victor scoffed at that. "Good point." She said. It suddenly clicked for Seph that he stepped in a sore spot for the Victor, considering her ally in the 58th Games had literally poisoned her partner and then a third of the arena.

"Maybe just Teagan? District partners are always good together. Right?"

"Yes, they are." Victor Echeberría said. Seph realized he stepped in it again by even referencing Aleko. People said that his ex-boyfriend occasionally hung around Victor Village with Olivia – when he wasn't out getting drunk or high. He'd go up to visit when he needed to sober up and then would be back out on the streets making a fool of himself. Seph wondered how Victor Echeberría felt about it. Looking at her now, the Victor seemed exhausted by life.

"Victor Echeberría, do you-"

"Please, Seph, Olivia is fine."

"Oh… ok. Olivia, do you think… do you think I can win?"

Olivia smiled at him, leaning over the table and holding his hand. "Yes. Yes, I do. And I will make sure I do everything in my power to make sure that you do."

He nodded and kept eating, feeling his appetite come back. Seph's brothers hadn't been there for him, but Olivia would be. Maybe there was hope?

District 6 Train

Diesel was trying. Really trying. And hey, he liked to talk too! But damn it, Dallis never shut up!

Question after question barraged him. They would oscillate between mundane, far too personal, or just bizarre. At one point she asked how many bathrooms his home had. Who asked that?

Dallis, meanwhile, was also really trying with Diesel but the boy was committed to obfuscating everything she asked by telling a joke. Eventually he snapped at her. "Are you going to do this to the other twenty-one Tributes?" He demanded.

"Probably not. Just the Careers." Dallis declared proudly.

Diesel looked at her, confused, until he realized her intent. "You're… you're serious, aren't you?"

"Course I am. Why shouldn't I? Knowledge is power and all that. Good to know what you're up against." Dallis told him.

"And you think they'll just… talk to you?"

"I'm charming."

"Well it'd be great to see that." Diesel said dryly.

"If they don't like me that's fine. So long as they don't like each other."

"What does that mean?"

"Everyone's got secrets. I bet the Careers have a ton." Dallis explained. "Think of all the dirty laundry they have from years in their cult like Academys. Do you think the District partners really like each other? Do you think they respect the other members of the Pack? Wouldn't it be nice if that was all in the open to start?"

Diesel considered that. "You want to break them early?"

"Duh. When the Pack is divided, non-Careers win. Just look at last year's roster of dumbass Careers. We want that same chaos this year and I'm happy to give them a push. Hey, you aren't like secretly awesome at poisoning people are you?"

Diesel rolled his eyes. "Yeah, spent years perfecting the craft." He replied sarcastically.

Dallis just shrugged. "Eh. It worked well for 6 last year. I guess it's too much to hope for two years in a row. But we might as well stick together. Who else is allying with us? I bet everyone's still pissed about Amadeus. And those Careers… they're coming."

"They'll come for everyone!"

Dallis rolled her eyes. "Yeah, but they'll start with certain Tributes. Like 5, 10, and 6, you know, the Distirct that won last year, the District that almost won last year, and, oh yeah, the District that poisoned and killed a third of the Tributes last year. So, you know, run in if you want. I'm getting the hell out of there the second that gong rings."

Diesel sighed heavily. He really hated that she was probably right. 'Looks like I have an ally.' He thought.

District 7 Train

There was no conversation between Fest and Wolf. In fact, Fest barely acknowledged me. That was fine by Wolf. The Head Peacekeeper had been right. There was something off about her, it made his skin tingle.

They had the Reaping Recaps to focus on instead though. Caesar Flickerman and Claudius Templesmith, the official hosts of the Hunger Games, were on and talking up a storm, whipping a study audience into a frenzy for the Games. The crowd sufficiently excited, the Reaping Recaps began.

Just like Wolf thought, District 1's male tribute, Casanova, was a little ponce. His dark skin was clean and flawless except for tattoos and piercings of his own, and his clothes were so frilly Wolf scoffed at them. He moved easily on the stage, all smiles and winks. His partner, Elegance, was more reserved, looking formidable with her muscle and steely gaze.

District 2 was typical. The boy, Pietyr, looked like a tank and his partner, Amaya, had a bit of a haunted look behind her eyes. Both looked dangerous. District 3 surprised with a volunteer for the boys, looking like he volunteered for his younger brother. Wolf had seen stalks of wheat with better physiques than Web. His partner, Hypatia, looked equally starved.

District 4 was bizarre. The female Tribute, Maddie, volunteered only to break out in tears, collapsing to her knees on stage. It was good to see the Careers would have a chink in their armor this year – with any luck they'd implode like they did last year. The boy from 4, Nicola, looked typical 4 with his wavy blonde hair and tanned skin. He looked at his partner curiously but otherwise didn't emote.

All eyes were on 5 to see who would follow up Victor Echeberría. Unfortunately for the District, it appeared Olivia was a tough act to follow. The girl, Teagan, seemed scared out of her wits and the boy, Seph, was only twelve and all tears. If Wolf had to guess, Bloodbaths for both of them.

District 6 was interesting. The boy, Diesel, seemed pretty composed for the cameras, though his thick rimmed glasses would probably cause problems in the arena. The girl, Dallis, didn't seem to bothered by being Reaped either.

Then it was 7. The Recaps had edited it so that nobody could see Fest being forced down in the mud by the Head Peacekeeper. It was bizarre seeing himself on screen and Wolf wasn't a fan of it. He was surprised by how old and beat down he looked. It was a miserable feeling.

Briefly he looked at Fest to see if she had any reaction. She was still though, emotionless like she had been since they stepped on the train.

Wolf turned away. Not a chance in hell he was staying near her.

District 8 Train

So far the train ride had shown that if Raveni wanted a partner, he'd have to look else where than with his District partner.

Blakey had barely said anything to him, her responses to his questions short and uninterested. She seemed lost in her own thoughts. Raveni couldn't blame her, even if she was being rude. He was in the same situation after all and barely had to strength to say anything.

Still, even being generous, Raveni had to admit that the girl was odd. He had never seen her before which was even odder. His work with the Weave kept him busy and between the Weave, school, and work in the factories, Raveni felt he had seen most people in District 8. If he had to guess, she was one of the poor souls who lived in the shadows of 8. A small scar above her eyebrow and a bruise on her cheek indicated a rough upbringing. She was small in frame too, with greasy brunette hair and hardened brown eyes that seemed to be checking everywhere for an attack.

His heart broke for what his partner must have been through. But something told him that she'd do ok in the Hunger Games.

At least the Reapings Recaps and the voices of Caesar and Claudius filled the void between them. Raveni watched the faces of the other Tributes, pitying all their families.

Blakey, for her part, knew who Raveni was. One of death cult guys who held people's hands when their loved ones died and knitted them a scarf or some meaningless gesture. Naturally, gang life didn't lend much credence to "respectful burial," and Blakey only needed a glance at Raveni to know he was a soft. He'd probably ask sponsors for a sewing kit and a ball of yarn so he could care for the dead in the arena. Idiot.

Blakely's attention was firmly on the Games though. She had never been a good team player, so going alone was fine with her. No more terrifying than street life in 8. She'd snatch a knife, hide in the shadows, and take down Tribute sone by one. Maybe she'd learn to use a crossbow too? It seemed a good idea to have a range weapon as well, and since guns weren't allowed in the Games and a bow seemed difficult to master, a crossbow would do.

Right now she watching the Recaps and the Tributes being pulled on stage. The Careers seemed formidable, 3 and 5 weak, 6 and 7 wildcards and 8… well, Cesar loved that she volunteered. Hopefully others in the Capitol had the same idea and she'd get some money.

'Anything for one step closer to home.' She thought.

District 9 Train

"Wow! I'm on TV! Ha! I'm on TV!"

Greta glanced at Darley, his eyes star struck by his own face on screen. Greta was next to him on that same screen but, just as she was next to him on the couch, Darley was ignoring her. She had been polite to him, and Darley returned it, perfectly charming but otherwise hadn't shown much interest. He'd probably written her off.

'I'll have to get used to that.' She thought. She really needed a high score if she was going to win any sort of sponsor attention.

Greta also hoped she'd find allies with the other Outliers. It would be nice to have her District partner by her side, it if he wasn't than Great wasn't going to lose sleep over it. Still, she was at least fascinated by Darley. Everyone knew about him in 9. It wasn't every day someone's boyfriend left him, shacked up with a girl, then killed that girl and was now awaiting the Peacekeeper's noose. Briefly, she wondered if Darley would tell the Capitol.

Darley, meanwhile, was enraptured by the television screen. All his life he had watched Tributes come and go, get their moment in the limelight for all of Panem to see them. Most squandered it. Darley wasn't going to let his chance pass by. It was magical seeing himself on the screen and, in his humble opinion, he looked pretty good on TV. He bet others in the Capitol felt the same.

'I wonder if Clinton is watching the Games?' Darley thought. 'Does he know I've been Reaped? I bet he's regretting everything now.'

For a moment, Darley thought how much Clinton would regret it once he become Victor, only to realize that Clinton would be hung by then.

And Darley would keep going as Victor of the Hunger Games.

That was a very fun thought indeed.

District 10 Train

The only thing that both District 10 partners felt they had going for them – besides the mounds of food before them on the dinner table – was that both of them were getting along and willing to ally.

Oscar and Sierra had known each other in passing. He'd seen her riding around on her horse, corralling the sheep on her family's ranch. She'd seen him in town on market day selling goats along with his dad. They bonded a little over their respective animals, but it was hard to get cheery about anything given the circumstances. Even with full bellies form dinner.

"I was always jealous of you and the others who got horses to ride." Oscar told her. "Goats don't really need horses to control."

"Riding's fun. Makes you feel… powerful. And free." Sierra told him.

"Huh. Love to be both of those right about now." Oscar said.

"There's the Training Center." Sierra proposed. "We could get strong there."

Oscar nodded, but doubted three days would be enough time to learn something useful to fight off Careers. "It worked for Hayley last year." Oscar said. "And my Pa said that the Capitol still likes her. Maybe we could impress them and get sponsors on our side, make them think we're the new Hayley?"

Sierra considered that before agreeing. "That's a good idea. Hayley was our most popular Tribute in years. Can't say that I knew her though."

"Nobody did." Oscar said. While the rest of the Butcher's were social, Hayley had not been, instead staying at their ranch with her mom who apparently guarded her from the world. The Butcher's had stopped going out after the Victory Tour though. Hayley's mom tried to kill Victor Echeberría and got shot for her efforts, a topic that wasn't discussed openly in 10.

Privately, Oscar considered what his Pa might suggest. 'Pretend to have known Hayley.' It might get some traction in the Capitol. But it felt too dishonest. And Oscar had never been much of a liar.

The two kept eating, trying to make plans for Training and the Hunger Games. Anything to feel like they had some control.

District 11 Train

The pair from 11 hadn't spent much time speaking to one another. Tilly had spent the first leg of the train ride composing herself after the emotional Goodbyes. Calen had also spent time to himself, trying to calm the inferno in his heart.

Neither Tilly or Calen knew each other, which wasn't that surprising. 11 was one the biggest District's after all in population and size. They had privately sized the other up and determined that their counter part most likely wasn't a psychopath wouldn't stab them in the dead of the night. Neither was quiet ready to tie themselves down to an alliance, but there was already a presumptive air that they'd be allies for the time being.

They ate their dinner in silence, overwhelmed by the choice of foods and the quantity of it. If Calen hadn't been so hungry then he was certain he'd throw another fit. There was more food on this table than either of them could eat and he was willing to be the poor Avoxes would toss it all when they were done with the meal. The Capitol's waste was unbelievable.

He glanced up at Tilly, trying to read her thoughts. She was devouring a bowl of fruit, taking one of each kind and savoring them slowly – free of retribution from Peacekeepers. She had come onto the train red eyed from tears but now seemed to be in control of herself. She had been polite with him and the Escort, but not friendly. At least she wasn't a rich girl.

"What field did you work?" Calen asked.

Tilly raised her eyes to him. "232." She said.

"That's bananas, right?"

"Yeah. Lots of climbing involved. You?"

"866." Calen said. "Peaches."

"I heard on the cart in that you guys had to work this morning." Tilly said. There was an assuredness in her tone, making her sound like she was older than him and not two years younger. "Did you get that bruise this morning?"

Calen had almost forgotten about the bruise. The adrenaline of the Reapings and everything afterwards had dulled its sting. "Just usual Peacekeeper bullshit." Calen said.

"I'd ask what you did but I already know it didn't matter to them." Tilly said dismissively.

Calen smiled at that. It was nice to hear someone care, even in a backhanded way. "When does it ever to those idiots?"

Tilly snorted and kept eating. Calen did as well, which she took for a good sign. Calen seemed a little intimidating to her at a whooping height of six foot, despite his skin and bones and general gangly appearance. But he wasn't hostile, at least towards her. She'd seen him glaring at every Peacekeeper who walked by and Tilly could tell it was taking all his energy not to curse out their Escort. She wasn't sure if that attitude would help in the arena, but at least he was nice to her.

And at least they were talking. Both Tilly and Calen were happy with that.

District 12 Train

The Escort rose from the dinner table in a fury and stormed off, shouting curses about "mongrels from 12."

To her credit, Ash didn't think she was wrong. His district partner was apparently part animal as she tore into every plate of food in front of her and devoured it with her hands. Ash and his family hadn't used much silverware growing up, but he as at least being polite and making a show of trying for the Escorts benefit.

"You could try to act a little civilized." Ash said.

Ophelia looked at him funny, a piece of chicken skin dangling from her mouth, completing the image of feral child. She shrugged, dipping one finger into some mashed potatoes and another into gravy. "Who cares what she thinks." Ophelia said, before sticking both fingers into her mouth and slurping the food down.

"Uh… I do. And you should too if you want sponsor gifts."

"Nobody's giving money to us. We're dead kids." Ophelia said casually, not stopping her eating. "Might as well enjoy our last days."

"That's bleak."

"You stupid?" Ophelia asked, sounding genuine. "You expecting 12 to win? You're skinnier than I am."

"I'm at least going to try."

"Good for you." She mocked. She picked up a ladle that sat discarded next to the gravy sauce pan. For a moment, she considered using it, before tossing it behind her and grabbing the sauce boat with her hand. "Wonder how they make gravy. What does it come from, potatoes?" She asked, before putting the boat to her lips and drinking heavily.

Ash sighed angrily, focusing on his food. That seemed like a good place to start. Like everyone else in District 12, he had never had so many options for dinner in his life. It seemed a good idea to try and bulk up as much as possible before the Games. Get like…. Vitamins in him? Weren't carbs good for something? He thought he saw a Capitolite on TV say they were… or were they bad? Whatever it was, food was good and this had to be the best food in Panem. All that food and the Capitolites were trying to find ways to not eat…

He looked at silverware and threw down. Instead, he tore off a leg of a chicken and starting chewing down.

"There you go!" Ophelia cheered through mouthfuls of food. "Why do we owe them manner or a show?"

In that moment, Ash agreed. Ophelia wasn't a serious partner, he needed someone better, but in this moment he was glad she was with him for this small moment of non-conformity.

Because the only thing that lay ahead was hardship and heartbreak.

So excited to get the Capitol and have all the Tributes interact!

Next up: The Tribute Parade

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